A Health Status Update of <i>Myocastor coypus</i> in Northern Italy
2024
Arturo Nicoletti | Paola Pregel | Laura Starvaggi Cucuzza | Enrico Bollo | Frine Eleonora Scaglione
<i>Myocastor coypus</i> is a pest animal present in Africa, Europe, North America and Asia that causes agricultural and ecological damages. Moreover, it has to be considered as a potential risk for public health. Forty-four coypus from the “Parco Naturale La Mandria” (Piedmont region, Northwest Italy) have been analysed. A complete necropsy and a whole histological evaluation of the liver, kidney and lung have been carried out on all the animals. Moreover, the positivity to Hepatitis E Virus (HEV), Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), <i>Francisella</i> spp., <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> and <i>Neospora caninum</i> have been investigated. None of the animal were positive for HEV, EMCV, <i>Francisella</i> spp. or <i>Neospora caninum</i>. Two animals tested positive for <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>. A high presence of histological lesions has been identified in different organs, suggesting that lesions could be induced by different pathogens. As previously reported, coypu can act as a host for several pathogens, including important agents for human and animal health, and surveillance is necessary to fully understand the biological role and the importance of coypu as a disease reservoir in our country.
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